To group items, just select them in combination and then click the little "G" square that appears in the icons alongside. The items become a group that can be moved and resized as one. The "G" turns into a "U", which you can click to ungroup the group.

Note that you can still select an item individually within a group if you want to change it.

In the abscence of a Bryce manual, I recommend acquiring "Real World Bryce 4" by Susan Kitchens and Victor Gavenda (ISBN 0-201-35438-1). Being three versions behind, it won't cover the latest features - but it will provide you with comprehensive guidance for these basic questions. It also covers a lot of creative ways of working with Bryce that are still applicable today.

Since you've stated that money is tight for you, I've checked for used copies on Amazon and very good condition examples go for as little as $1.24 plus $3.99 shipping.

Apart from Bryce itself, this is likely to be your best Bryce bargain.